MANCHESTER CITY EASED into the final of the Club World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.
Without Erling Haaland, the Champions League winners needed an own goal to launch their campaign in Saudi Arabia but second-half strikes from Mateo Kovavic and Bernardo Silva saw them stroll to victory.
Having already added the European Super Cup to last season’s treble, City will now have the chance to claim a fifth trophy of the calendar year when they face Brazil’s Fluminense in Friday’s final in Jeddah.
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With Urawa showing limited ambition against City’s formidable line-up, the only surprise was the game remained goalless until first-half stoppage time.
City may have been without a recognised centre forward in Haaland’s continued absence due to a foot injury, but the Reds defence was given little respite and goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa had a busy night.
City finally claimed the breakthrough their play deserved just before the interval, although they did benefit from a stroke of luck.
Matheus Nunes broke down the right and exchanged passes with Silva before driving the ball low towards goal, where it was turned into his own net by Norwegian defender Marius Hoibraten.
With their lead established, City tightened their grip after the break.
Kyle Walker played Kovacic into space for the Croatia midfielder to lift the ball over Nishikawa for the second after 52 minutes.
Nunes should have added another moments later but headed wide from a Jack Grealish cross.
The third came just before the hour after Nishikawa pushed away another Nunes effort and Silva drove in the rebound with the aid of a deflection.
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Manchester City thrash Urawa Red Diamonds to reach Club World Cup final
Manchester City 3
Urawa Red Diamonds 0
MANCHESTER CITY EASED into the final of the Club World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.
Without Erling Haaland, the Champions League winners needed an own goal to launch their campaign in Saudi Arabia but second-half strikes from Mateo Kovavic and Bernardo Silva saw them stroll to victory.
Having already added the European Super Cup to last season’s treble, City will now have the chance to claim a fifth trophy of the calendar year when they face Brazil’s Fluminense in Friday’s final in Jeddah.
With Urawa showing limited ambition against City’s formidable line-up, the only surprise was the game remained goalless until first-half stoppage time.
City may have been without a recognised centre forward in Haaland’s continued absence due to a foot injury, but the Reds defence was given little respite and goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa had a busy night.
City finally claimed the breakthrough their play deserved just before the interval, although they did benefit from a stroke of luck.
Matheus Nunes broke down the right and exchanged passes with Silva before driving the ball low towards goal, where it was turned into his own net by Norwegian defender Marius Hoibraten.
With their lead established, City tightened their grip after the break.
Kyle Walker played Kovacic into space for the Croatia midfielder to lift the ball over Nishikawa for the second after 52 minutes.
Nunes should have added another moments later but headed wide from a Jack Grealish cross.
The third came just before the hour after Nishikawa pushed away another Nunes effort and Silva drove in the rebound with the aid of a deflection.
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Club World Cup Manchester City Urawa Red Diamonds